Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Matzie: Newly released study recommends changes to PIAA policies

Matzie: Newly released study recommends changes to PIAA policies

Study requested by Matzie analyzed competition formula, other association practices

Rep. Robert F. Matzie    March 24, 2026 | 12:25 PM

HARRISBURG, March 24 – The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association should update its policies to better protect student athletes participating in competitions, according to the newly released findings of a legislative study requested by state Rep. Rob Matzie.

Matzie, who is chair of the House Majority Caucus and the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, called on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct the study based on concerns that PIAA’s system of classifying schools for competition puts student athletes at risk by forcing them to compete against wealthier schools with bigger budgets and larger rosters.

“The study’s findings and recommendations demonstrate the need for updated PIAA policies relative to how transfers are monitored and adjudicated, where and how certain private, charter, and co-op schools get their student athletes, and how championship sites are determined,” Matzie said. “This vindicates the questions I’ve raised over the past several years, especially in regard to the treatment of the Aliquippa School District.”

Matzie said the report recommends that PIAA:

  • establish a statewide body to independently record, monitor and adjudicate student-athlete transfers among member schools.

  • revise its policy for feeder schools, which pipeline student-athletes into a specific senior high schools, by strengthening the feeder school definition for private schools to ensure that member schools across the state are operating under uniform, clearly specified guidelines.
     
  • document clear requirements for potential championship host venues; clear procedures for its championship site selection process; and the extent to which each championship site proposal meets the requirements listed in its Request for Proposal.

“With the change in leadership at the PIAA and in light of some of their more recent, positive actions, I am hopeful that these recommendations will be implemented as soon as practicable,” Matzie said. “As a member of the PA Athletic Oversight Committee, I am prepared to take up the task of putting these changes into place legislatively, if necessary. Moving forward, I stand ready to work with PIAA Executive Director Byers and the board to ensure that all school districts and, most importantly, all of our student athletes are treated with fairness and consistency.”

The study was launched after the House in late 2024 adopted Matzie’s resolution calling for a comprehensive study of PIAA and its decision-making processes and operations.

The PIAA oversees senior high and junior high athletic competitions in the state and is charged with developing and enforcing rules regulating those competitions. More than 1,400 public, charter and private schools with more than 350,000 student athletes fall within PIAA’s jurisdiction.